Thinking about building your own website? AF supplier Naked Marketing explains the true cost of a DIY website, when it makes and when professional web design could pay for itself.
On the face of it, a DIY website is one of the cheapest ways to get your business online. But the upfront cost is only part of the picture.
Once you factor in your time, missed sales, website maintenance and technical fixes, building a website yourself can cost more than you think.
Your time is valuable. If creating a basic website takes 60 frustrating hours at the kitchen table, it isn’t really ‘free’. You’re just taking time away from other more productive activities.
Then there’s the customer experience. A DIY website might look fine at first glance, but if you’re selling online and the checkout is clunky, customers can lose trust, abandon their baskets, and take their business elsewhere. Lost sales can quickly add up to more than the cost of professional web design.
And websites need ongoing maintenance. Software updates, broken links, new content, and formatting problems all need attention.
There are times when a DIY website is the right solution.
If you’re testing an idea, such as a single glamping pod, or opening a small, simple shop, a website builder like Squarespace or Wix can be a sensible way to get started.
You might simply need a ‘digital business card’ with your address, opening hours, and contact details. In that case, a stripped-back DIY website could be all you need.
You may not even need a website initially. Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok can be effective ways to get found, showcase what you offer and, in some cases, sell directly.
As your business grows, you can move to a more robust website that you own and control.
Your website design and functionality can evolve as your business does.
There are several areas where professional help can make a real difference.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is one. If you want your business to appear when someone searches for terms such as ‘farm shop near me’ or ‘organic lamb delivery UK’, your website needs the right content and technical foundations that are optimised for Google.
SEO is an essential part of digital marketing and thanks to AI, it’s no longer just about being found in search. As more people turn to AI for answers, recommendations, and research, your website needs to be easy for AI to understand, credible enough to trust, and relevant enough to recommend. That means creating clear, useful content that demonstrates your expertise, answers the questions your customers are asking, and gives both search engines and AI a reason to feature your business.
Professionals can also improve website conversion - turning visitors into customers. From page layout to the position of your ‘Buy Now’ button, small details can make the buying journey easier.
Complex website integrations are another consideration. If your website needs to connect with a third-party booking system, courier network or stock-taking software, DIY can quickly become complicated.
And because most people now view websites on their phones, your website needs to be mobile-friendly, responsive, and fast across different devices.
Finally, don’t underestimate credibility. If you’re competing with established brands, your website needs to communicate trust and quality. An amateurish-looking site can undermine that confidence.
Inspiring your customers with feelings of trust and confidence is key for many websites.
There’s another option: professional foundations with DIY content.
An agency can build the more complex parts of your website using a content management system (CMS), then train you to add products, update prices, and publish news or blog posts yourself.
Questions to ask a web design agency
Before choosing an agency, ask:
Who will own the domain and the site? Make sure you will.
Will you be able to make changes yourself? If you want to change prices or add a product, check whether they will train you to do this, or charge you for every update.
What will the ongoing costs be? Get clarity on hosting, maintenance, and support fees.
What’s included? Establish who will be responsible for copy, photography, and other content.
Choose the approach that fits your business - and remember, your website should work for you, not become another job in itself.
Thinking about building a new website or giving your existing site a refresh? Speak to AF supplier Naked Marketing to see how they can help you get more from your online presence.
